Fremont County Coroner IDs man who died in commercial boat accident in the Royal Gorge on the Arkansas River
By Carie Canterbury, City Daily Record
June 20, 2023 at 9:22 a.m.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is investigating after a man died Monday during a three-boat commercial trip in the Royal Gorge on the Arkansas River. Fremont County Coroner Randy Keller on Tuesday identified the man as Roger Torgler, 60, of Colorado Springs.Keller said that at this time, it is believed that the cause of death is a possible drowning, however, autopsy results are pending.
According to a press release issued Tuesday by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife, at around 1:30 p.m., several passengers fell out of a boat as it entered the Boat Eater Rapid just past the Royal Gorge Bridge. All the passengers were rescued from the water by other boats on the trip.
Torgler was unresponsive after he was pulled out of the water. A guide immediately pulled the boat to shore and began CPR while another guide retrieved a heart defibrillator stationed along the river banks. They performed CPR until an emergency vehicle traveling by railroad tracks arrived and transported the victim out of the gorge. CPR continued but Trogler was pronounced deceased by responding emergency medical personnel.
Besides CPW rangers from the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA), agencies responding to the call for help included the Fremont County Sheriff's Office, American Medical Response Cañon City and the Cañon City Fire Department.
“We extend our sympathies to the family and friends of the victim,” said Tom Waters, AHRA park manager, noting the victim was wearing a properly sized and fitted personal flotation device as well as a helmet.
